A vibrant place is not achieved by decree. It emerges over time through trial, error, and evolution.
How Places Form People: The Moral Pedagogy of Urban Design
Every place teaches us what — and who — matters. Does the sidewalk invite us to linger or expect us to move along?
Every place teaches us what — and who — matters. Does the sidewalk invite us to linger or expect us to move along?
Chicago and Denver Just Ditched Parking Mandates—What Does That Mean?
The move comes after years of analysis and advocacy pointing to the high financial and spatial costs of mandated parking.
The move comes after years of analysis and advocacy pointing to the high financial and spatial costs of mandated parking.
Burned Out and Backlogged: The Real Blockade in LA’s Post-Fire Recovery
In January 2025, wildfires swept across Southern California with record-breaking destruction.
In January 2025, wildfires swept across Southern California with record-breaking destruction.
How Would Your Town Welcome 5,000 New Neighbors?
If a second bridge triggers even a fraction of that growth, where would new residents go—and how would communities afford to serve them?
If a second bridge triggers even a fraction of that growth, where would new residents go—and how would communities afford to serve them?
If John Locke Pulled up to the Curb and Found No Space
John Locke probably wasn’t thinking about parking when he wrote his "Second Treatise of Government." But his 17th-century principle — what’s now called the Lockean Proviso — might still help us understand the tangled web of private property rights, public space, and parking rules in North America today.
John Locke probably wasn’t thinking about parking when he wrote his “Second Treatise of Government.” But his 17th-century principle — what’s now called the Lockean Proviso — might still help us understand the tangled web of private property rights, public space, and parking rules in North America today.
Six Roundabouts to Nowhere
Even the visual renderings of this project are absurd. To the untrained eye, it looks like a highway engineer’s fever dream.
Even the visual renderings of this project are absurd. To the untrained eye, it looks like a highway engineer’s fever dream.
What Happens When Housing Prices Go Down (Because They Are)?
This narrative is now dominating housing policy discussion across the political spectrum.
This narrative is now dominating housing policy discussion across the political spectrum.
West Virginia Is the Canary in America’s Infrastructure Coal Mine
This is not just a West Virginia problem. It’s a national warning.
This is not just a West Virginia problem. It’s a national warning.
This Summer’s Hottest Trend? Ditching Parking Mandates.
In a 5-1 vote, the city of 52,000 eliminated all off-street parking requirements and opened the door for small-scale businesses—like cafés, corner stores, and child care centers—to operate in residential areas citywide.
In a 5-1 vote, the city of 52,000 eliminated all off-street parking requirements and opened the door for small-scale businesses—like cafés, corner stores, and child care centers—to operate in residential areas citywide.
The Infrastructure Conversation I Didn’t Expect in New Zealand
When I finished, people lined up to talk. Not to argue. But to say, “That’s us, too.”
When I finished, people lined up to talk. Not to argue. But to say, “That’s us, too.”
Housing Is Not a Numbers Problem—It’s a Systems Problem
Over the past several decades, North America embarked on a vast suburban experiment.
Over the past several decades, North America embarked on a vast suburban experiment.
Making Room for Mom: Iowa’s Bold Move on Backyard Housing
ADUs—also known as granny flats, backyard cottages, or in-law units—are modest, self-contained homes located on the same lot as a primary residence.
ADUs—also known as granny flats, backyard cottages, or in-law units—are modest, self-contained homes located on the same lot as a primary residence.
I Refuse to Accept That My Best Days of Walkability Were in College
They’ll miss the community, the random hangouts with friends new and old, and how activities are always within reach.
They’ll miss the community, the random hangouts with friends new and old, and how activities are always within reach.
The Elements of a City: Structures, Conduits, and Interfaces
Structure: the foundation, the walls, and the roof all combine to hold a building together.
Structure: the foundation, the walls, and the roof all combine to hold a building together.
Stop Hitting My House
Most recently, two different vehicles struck the granite boulders the city had installed to protect his property—on back-to-back nights.
Most recently, two different vehicles struck the granite boulders the city had installed to protect his property—on back-to-back nights.